Sunday Story, December 31, 2017

Why?

In January of 2016 my cousin’s young son wrote an essay, later found in his backpack. His mom posted it on Facebook and like his mother, I recognized the profound theology in a child’s simple heart. Then fourth grader, Sawyer T. Wilson, opened his paper with these words. “I have a dream that one day I can live in a world where people look back on war and think, why? I want to live in a place where people look back on fighting and think, why?” Logic tells me Sawyer’s class studied Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech and were asked to respond with their own thoughts on social justice and America’s progress toward equality and peace.

Children don’t like dissonance, fighting and prejudice! They recognize it for what it is, devastating and destructive, borne out of man’s selfish, centrifugal, base instinct, better known as carnal sin. Sin is the act of taking matters into one’s own hands, replacing God’s plan and desire with autonomy to rule one’s self. Eons of evidence have proven this to be futile, yet man refuses surrender, until a child like faith reminds him to turn his heart toward a peace that passes understanding.

God created a boundless, infinite, perfectly running universe as the dwelling place for His crowning creation. (His words, not mine Genesis 1:26-28) God is love, He is peace. When peace was interrupted by sin, God, the Everlasting Father, sent His Son, the Prince of Peace, to earth. WHY?

I live among five and six year olds. They are peace seekers and keepers. In the big scheme of things they are helpless and have a great deal to learn on their road to independence, but along their journey, they have already learned that life is more productive and pleasant together. For instance, while in route to the playground, shoes become untied, a problem not readily solved by short, chubby fingers, lacking dexterity. So, I, their leader, am called upon to assist. I usually say, “Go on around, we’ll catch up.” but this is looked upon as insanity. The untied laces of a classmate’s shoe is no reason to disrupt the working order of agreed upon line procedures. Quickly, everyone gathers around, recites the shoes tying verse as teacher performs her skills for one or many, whoever is in need, and within seconds of completion, children realign themselves and the PEACEFUL procession to a good life, aka recess, resumes.

Sawyer, I agree! Why!? An honest answer to this one word query might change the world for the better.

Why? For the children….Sawyer, his little brother Paxton, their friends……for myself………for Heaven’s sake…..Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Love,

Gretchen

Sawyer is the son of Jarett and Sarah Wilson. He is now a vivacious sixth grader and has a passion to worship and serve his Savior. I am privileged to witness the wonder of God’s work in the life of this young family that daily exemplifies Christ’s love, sacrifice and service to others. His words were used with permission from his mom.